A change is as good as a holiday and if the change is a detox diet you will need to take some time off to do the job properly. The side effects of detoxing should not be taken lightly. Even a brief detoxification period is a major change in your life.

Before you begin a detoxing program see your doctor for a check-up. Tell him that you are thinking of going on a detox regime and listen to his advice. Most doctors will not approve of detoxing because medical research has not found any proof that it is needed. When you are listening to your doctor, try to put aside his natural skepticism but take notice of any precautions you might need to take in relation to your own individual medical condition.

One type of person who really should take medical advice before detoxing is the diabetic. Fasting will reduce your blood sugar levels and if you have chronically low levels or have liver or kidney problems you need to be in contact with your doctor.

There are lots of ways of detoxing your body and many involve some form of fasting. You can restrict yourself to drinking water, some kind of shake or juice. Or you can go for a liver or colon cleanse. All kinds of detoxification techniques carry side effects, both positive and negative.

Some of the negative side effects include muscular aches, moodiness, loss of sleep and the feeling that suddenly you are not one hundred percent well. As the detox process goes on these side effects will decrease in intensity and you will experience some of the more positive side effects.

When you change your diet or go on a fast you will suffer the consequences of changing your routine. It will take some time for your system to become used to the lesser amounts of food and the change in content of your meals. Lightheadedness is one of the symptoms of a decrease in food intake, so you need to arrange your life so you can get some rest whenever you need to.

There are emotional consequences of detoxing, too. You might feel restless and a bit apprehensive without being able to find a reason for it. If your emotional unrest is leading to a shortage of sleep you will need to have the time available during the day to take naps when you need to.

Other minor but bothersome side effects of detoxing could be skin break outs, more noticeable body odor and bad breath. You might also suffer from diarrhea or vomiting. These side effects will not only take up your time but increase your body's needs for water. Right at the outset you need to be prepared to discipline yourself to drink water at regular intervals.

You also need to bear in mind that after your detoxing you will be left with a feeling of well being and an enthusiasm for taking on life's challenges. You might also lose some weight, but that might not be permanent. At any rate, even though the list of negative side effects might dampen your enthusiasm for going on a detox diet, there is no need to be worried. You just need to be mentally prepared for these changes in your body before you begin.